Strawberry plant named ‘Benicia’

ABSTRACT

‘Benicia’ is a short-day (June bearing) type cultivar that produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, sub-tropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Benicia’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than that of ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708). It further produces similar quantities of fruit per plant but develops larger and higher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469.

Genus and species: The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

Variety denomination:

The variety denomination is ‘Benicia’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivar designated as ‘Benicia’. The new cultivar was the result of a cross performed in 2004 between the cultivar ‘Palomar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,472) and unreleased germplasm accession Cal 0.18-601 (unpatented). Accession Cal 0.18-601 was chosen as a parent due to its large, firm, and high quality fruit and medium plant vigor. ‘Benicia’ was first fruited at an experimental orchard near Winters, Calif. in 2005, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 4.39-1, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘C225’. It was later designated ‘Benicia’ for introduction into commerce. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested in Watsonville, Calif., in Irvine, Calif., and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2007. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Benicia’ is a short-day (June bearing) type cultivar that produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, sub-tropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Benicia’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than that of ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708). It further produces similar quantities of fruit per plant but develops larger and higher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Benicia’ cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant in a field planting.

FIG. 2 shows a typical leaf at mid-season.

FIG. 3 shows representative mid-season fruit.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

‘Benicia’ is typical of short-day strawberry cultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. The production pattern for ‘Benicia’ is similar to that of ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Palomar’, although it is somewhat earlier to initiate fruiting with most cultural treatments. ‘Benicia’ initiates fruiting somewhat later than ‘Ventana’ when established in very early fall, but has a production pattern similar to ‘Ventana’ with most cultural treatments. ‘Benicia’ will be of special interest for winter plantings, where ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Palomar’ have been successful, and in summer plantings where ‘Pajaro’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,538) and ‘Chandler’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,262) have been successful. Color references have been made to the Munsell Color Chart.

-   Plants and foliage:

Fruiting plants of ‘Benicia’ are similar in morphology to ‘Ventana’, although slightly more open and erect, and somewhat smaller throughout most of the production season with most cultural treatments. ‘Benicia’ plants are larger than those of ‘Palomar’ and similar in size to ‘Camarosa’ in most production environments. Comparative statistics for foliar characteristics near mid-season are given for ‘Benicia’ and three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Benicia’ are smaller and less rounded than for ‘Camarosa’. Further, the leaflets are similar in shape but smaller than those of ‘Ventana’ or ‘Palomar’. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Benicia’ are similar in length to ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’, but shorter than ‘Palomar’ mostly due to shorter petiole length. Petioles for ‘Benicia’ are generally longer and thinner than those of the comparison cultivars. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Benicia’ are similar in color to ‘Camarosa’ and darker than ‘Ventana’ leaves at mid season. Leaves of ‘Benicia’ have consistently more concavity than ‘Camarosa’, less concavity than ‘Palomar’ and are similar to those for ‘Ventana’. Serrations at mid season are more pointed than ‘Camarosa’, but similar in shape and number to ‘Ventana’ and ‘Palomar’.

TABLE 1 Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘Benicia’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Palomar’, and ‘Ventana’. Cultivar Foliar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ ‘Benicia’ Plant height (mm) mean 299 277 262 304 range 280-320 250-300 250-290 280-370 Plant spread (mm) mean 431 432 388 438 range 395-490 370-485 360-455 390-500 Mid-tier leaflet Length (mm) mean 100 92 88 98 range  93-105  55-110  76-93  90-120 Width (mm) mean 87 79 72 82 range  80-100 73-90 65-80 70-90 Mid-tier leaf Length (mm) mean 290 314 244 318 range 267-325 235-350 160-282 290-330 Width (mm) mean 178 169 156 167 range 152-210 150-190 128-175 150-187 Leaf components Petiole length (mm) mean 194 220 169 224 range 170-220 190-240 150-175 210-230 Petiole diameter (mm) mean 5.1 4.9 4.5 4.2 range 4-6 4-6 4-5 3-5 Petiolule length (mm) mean 8.5 6.1 5.5 7.0 range  6-10 5-7 4-6 5-8 # leaflets/leaf 3 3 3, rarely 3 4 or 5 Leaf convexity Some convex, flat to very concave to most flat to concave very concave slight concave Serrations number/leaf 19.5 20.6 20.6 18.9 range 18-21 18-23 18-23 17-20 shape rounded, some semi-pointed semi-pointed semi-pointed semi-pointed Leaf pubescence light-moderate light-moderate moderate-light moderate Petiole pubescence density heavy moderate-heavy heavy moderate-heavy direction perpendicular perpendicular perpendicular perpendicular to acropetal Petiole color (Munsell) 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 9/8 Stipule length (mm) mean 33.8 31.9 33.3 31.5 range 30-45 25-40 25-41 20-41 Stipule color core 7.5 GY 9/4 2.5 GY 9/8 10 Y 9/9 5 GY 8/8 margins 7.5 GY 8/7 10 Y 8/11 2.5 GY 9/8 7.5 GY 9/4 Stolon base diameter (mm) 1.7 1.5 2.3 1.9 Stolons per nursery mother plant 28.0 18.8 25.5 28.2 Venation pattern pinnate pinnate pinnate pinnate color 10 GY 7/8 5 GY 8/8 2.5 GY 8/9 7.5 GY 9/4

-   Disease and pest reaction:

‘Benicia’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), but is moderately susceptible to Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum), and very susceptible to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae). It is moderately susceptible to Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) (Table 2). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) equal to that of the comparison cultivars. ‘Benicia’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

TABLE 2 Disease resistance scores for ‘Benicia’ and three comparison cultivars. Phytophthora Verticillium Colletotrichum Resistance Score Resistance Score Resistance Score Genotype (5 = best) (5 = best) (5 = best) ‘Camarosa’ 3.06 3.08 3.1 ‘Ventana’ 2.06 2.89 2.7 ‘Palomar’ 2.81 4.14 3.0 ‘Benicia’ 3.50 2.08 2.6 Phytophthora and Verticillium scores were obtained in evaluations conducted between 2008-2009; Colletotrichum was evaluated in 2009.

-   Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics:

‘Benicia’ is similar to other California short-day strawberry cultivars (e. g. ‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’, and ‘Palomar’) in that it will flower over an extended period and into spring or summer, given appropriate local temperature and horticultural conditions. With very early plantation establishment (before October 1 in California), ‘Benicia’ produces fruit slightly later than ‘Ventana’ and ‘Palomar’ but earlier than ‘Camarosa’. With later plantation establishment, ‘Benicia’ initiates fruit as early as ‘Ventana’ and ‘Palomar’, with earlier production timing than ‘Camarosa’. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characteristics near mid-season are given for the four cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Benicia’ are similar in size to ‘Ventana’, with a calyx that is distinctly larger than the corolla on primary fruit. The sepals are similar in length and shape to ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Ventana’. The calyx for ‘Benicia’ varies in position but frequently has a slight neck early in the season. Each primary flower has 6-8 petals, slightly more than the comparison cultivars on average. The fruit shape for ‘Benicia’ can vary, but is typically medium to long conic, which can be flattened or slightly obovate. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Camarosa’ (shortened and flattened conic), or ‘Ventana’ (medium symmetrical conic), and ‘Palomar’ (short symmetrical conic). External and internal fruit color for ‘Benicia’ is similar to that of ‘Camarosa’ and darker than that of ‘Ventana’ or ‘Palomar’ (Table 3). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, and are even with the fruit surface or slightly indented.

‘Benicia’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those of ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Palomar’ are used. In general, plants of ‘Benicia’ are less vigorous than ‘Camarosa’ or ‘Ventana’ with very early season planting, but more vigorous than ‘Palomar’. ‘Benicia’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Benicia’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than that of ‘Camarosa’. It produces similar quantities of fruit per plant but develops larger and higher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’ (Table 5). Commercial appearance ratings have been equal to or better than those for all of the comparison cultivars, especially ‘Camarosa’. Fruit from ‘Benicia’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Ventana’, but similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Benicia’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home gardening purposes.

TABLE 3 Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘Benicia’ and three comparison cultivars. Color Cultivar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ ‘Benicia’ Leaf color (CIELAB) Adaxial L* mean 37.1 40.0 35.2 38.2 range 34.8-41.3 33.2-39.2 33.7-37.0 35.0-41.9 a* mean −13.1 −10.8 −8.9 −13.1 range −11.5-−16.8 −9.1-−13.3 −7.0-−11.9 −7.3-−17.3 b* mean 16.6 15.5 11.3 17.4 range 15.3-17.7 12.8-19.5  9.1-12.3  9.6-23.9 Munsell 5 GY 5/6 2.5 GY 4/3 5 GY 4/3 2.5 GY 4/3 Abaxial L* mean 51.5 48.5 49.0 51.2 range 48.8-53.4 45.6-50.2 36.3-50.6 47.9-54.5 a* mean −14.7 −12.3 −12.2 −13.6 range −13.7-−16.5 −11.3-−13.3 −11.2-−13.3 −11.4-−15.9 b* mean 22.3 20.7 18.6 20.5 range 19.6-26.2 17.6-22.7 14.7-22.2 17.5-24.5 Munsell 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 9/4 2.5 GY 8/6 Fruit color (CIELAB) External L* mean 36.5 34.4 33.7 33.2 range 33.2-40.0 31.7-36.3 28.9-36.5 31.1-38.6 a* mean 33.3 33.6 34.4 33.3 range 28.6-39.3 25.9-38.7 24.3-39.7 31.5-36.6 b* mean 17.9 15.8 15.4 14.6 range 10.9-26.2 10.4-20.9 11.5-23.6 10.2-20.2 Munsell 7.5 R 4/11 7.5 R 5/13 5 R 3/7 2.5 R 7/10 Internal L* mean 53.7 52.4 48.4 49.5 range 44.2-60.9 48.6-57.8 42.1-54.9 42.0-58.5 a* mean 29.6 28.8 24.7 29.8 range 24.8-33.8 23.9-33.9 21.1-29.0 20.9-34.9 b* mean 26.3 23.7 20.2 23.9 range 21.4-30.1 18.1-27.5 18.2-23.8 19.2-26.7 Munsell 7.5 R 5/13 5 R 5/13 7.5 R 6/12 7.5 R 5/13 Achene color Munsell 2.5 Y 7/10 10 Y 8/11 7.5 R 8/12 5 R 3/7

TABLE 4 Flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Benicia’ and three comparison cultivars. Cultivar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ ‘Benicia’ Petal number mean 5.7 6.2 5.7 6.6 range 5-8 5-8 5-6 6-8 Petal shape apex truncate to truncate to truncate to truncate to slightly obtuse slightly obtuse slightly obtuse slightly obtuse base margin attenuate attenuate attenuate attenuate entire entire entire entire Petal length (mm) mean 14.2 15.1 18.3 15.5 range 13-16 14-17 15-21 15-17 Petal width (mm) mean 14.8 16.9 18.2 16.7 range 13-16 16-19 15-22 15-18 Flower position most even even to even to even to (relative to foliage) some exposed exposed exposed exposed Calyx diam. (mm) mean 48.1 45.2 57.5 49.6 range 40-52 42-52 51-61 45-53 Corolla diam. (mm) mean 37.4 39.7 44.4 39.6 range 32-44 38-42 42-47 39-41 Sepal length (mm) mean 20.6 19.7 23.5 20.1 range 16-25 19-22 19-28 19-21 Sepal width (mm) mean 11.5 9.8 11.7 11.5 range 10-13 8-11 10-13 11-12 Sepal color (Munsell) 7.5 GY 5/7 2.5 GY 8/9 7.5 GY 7/9 7.5 GY 7/9 Pedicel length (mm) mean 229 259 183 238 range 220-240 230-290 150-210 210-290 Pedicel diameter (mm) mean 3.1 4.3 3.7 4.2 range 2-4 3-5 3-5 3-5 Pedicel color 2.5 GY 6/8 2.5 GY 9/8 5 GY 8/8 2.5 GY 9/8 Fruit shape Fruit length (mm) mean 48.7 50.5 49.9 52.0 range 43-53 45-60 43-55 50-58 Fruit width (mm) mean 40.7 45.2 44.4 43.4 range 37-51 41-53 38-55 42-48 Length/ width ratio 1.21 1.12 1.13 1.20 range 1.0-1.4 1.0-1.2 1.0-1.3 1.0-1.4 subjective Obovate-flat Medium conic Short conic Medium-long conic Primary/secondary fruit comparison size (subjective) 40-60% 50-60% 50-60% 50-60% shape similar shape, similar shape similar shape similar shape more conic Extent/size of hollow core small-absent Small small-absent small-absent Calyx position indented-neck even-reflexed even-indented even-indented size relative to fruit equal or less than equal or less than equal or greater than equal or greater than fruit diameter fruit diameter fruit diameter fruit diameter Seed position indented-extruded even-extruded even-indented even-indented Adherence of Calyx to Fruit Weak Intermediate Weak Weak

Flower and plant measurements obtained on Apr. 3, 2008; fruit measurements obtained between May 10-20, 2008.

TABLE 5 Performance of ‘Benicia’ and three comparison cultivars evaluated in Watsonville, CA between 2008-9. Appearance Fruit Yield Score Size Item (g/plant) (5 = best) (g/fruit) Firmness ‘Camarosa’ 2,137 2.7 28.6 10.1 ‘Ventana’ 2,616 3.0 33.3  9.8 ‘Palomar’ 2,667 3.7 34.1 10.4 ‘Benicia’ 2,566 3.6 33.7 10.0 All plants for these trials were harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CA between October 15-16, and transplanted after 6-7 days to supplemental storage. Fruit harvest was initiated in early April and continued through the last week of August. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein. 